Fishing – you either love it, or you hate it. Or, you’ve never tried it, so you just assume that it wouldn’t be something you’d like.

Well, contrary to popular belief, fishing can be an awesome way to relax and unwind. It’s a great way to step out of your day-to-day life and enjoy a little bit of quiet, alone time. But more than that, it also allows you to connect with nature in an incredibly special way, one that many people may not necessarily consider.

Of course, one of the best parts of fishing is that there are many different types to choose from – and they’re not all relaxing! You can for a relaxing fishing session on a quiet lake to catch small, freshwater fish. Or, you can jump on a boat and head out to sea and bring home a massive tuna that’s bigger than you. It all depends on what you’re looking for from the experience, and no matter what that is, fishing is bound to give you at least a little bit of what you need.

Here are a few ways that fishing can help you unwind.

You Can Connect with Nature

No matter what kind of fishing you’re doing, it’ll allow you to really enjoy being outdoors. Whether you’re sitting beside a lake and enjoying a bit of soccer World Cup betting between each cast, fly fishing on a river or out at sea on a big boat, you’re at the mercy of nature and you’re deeply connected to your surroundings.

This allows you to really take a moment to appreciate where you are. Of course, the most relaxing kind of fishing would be something where you can sit down and stand still in silence and enjoy the serenity of the natural environment.

Some people, however, also find sport fishing like fly fishing to be incredibly therapeutic, allowing nature, skill and peacefulness to take over.

It’s a Distraction from the Real World

If you’re looking to just get away from everything that’s going on in your life, fishing will allow you to zone out into a different reality and just enjoy what’s in front of you. If you’re doing relaxing fishing, you can enjoy the peace and quiet and beauty of nature. Perhaps sip on a drink and watch the birds.

Deep-sea fishing, on the other hand, is even more of a distraction if that’s what you’re looking for! You’ll be whisked away to the depths of the ocean, get splashed by the waves and come face to face with large animals. There certainly is no time to worry about your Monday morning meeting when you’re being rocked back and forth on a large, commercial fishing vessel.

You Can Learn About Animals

Not all kinds of fishing involve keeping the fish. In fact, catch-and-release fishing has gained popularity, and something like fly fishing is a great way to practice that. It’s a difficult skill to master, but it also requires learning about different kinds of fish and their habits. Best of all, however, you’ll be allowed the opportunity to appreciate their beauty, as well as the beauty of other animals that may surround you too, like birds and insects.